Coin or check controlled liquid dispensing apparatus having directive indicators



21, 1951 R. E. PARKS COIN OR CHECK CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING DIRECTIVE INDICATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1948 m T m ammo/0,41.

LAMP

UNIT

INVENTOR. REG/5 E. PAR/(5 BY vw w I ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 21, 1951 PARKS 2,565,084

COIN OR CHECK CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING DIRECTIVE INDICATORS Filed June 14, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 87 68 M 33 INVENTOR. 5/ RE /5 5. PARKS B Y A B c 00 H O REFRIGEIPAN T W Q COMPRESSOR FLA V055 M W" M MOTOR ,7

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 21, 1951 COIN R CHECK CONTROLLED LIQUID DIS- PENSING APPARATUS HAVING DIRECTIVE INDICATORS Regis E, Parks, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Spacarb, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 14, 1948, Serial Nb. 32,878

'13 Claims.

The present invention relates to an automatic drink dispensing apparatus and more particularly to such an apparatus having an improved dispensing cycle wherein as one of its features the purchaser himself actuates the drink mechanism apart from the deposit of the coin.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in thenovel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the various mechanical components of the machine and their positions relative to each other in the machine; and

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical circuits which operate in a predetermined and fixed sequence the mechanical features shown in Fig. 1.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved beverage dispensing apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a drink dispensing machine a system which will allow the purchaser to select one of a number of flavors.

A further object is to provide in a machine for vending cold drinks an electrical system which will allow the buyer to mix various flavors in any proportion that he may desire.

Another object 'of the invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus which will allow the purchaser to pause after the insertion of his coin for any desired length of time before making his selection of a flavor or flavors.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system which will dispense a cup and thereafter maintain various operating parts of the machine in a standstill position until the purchaser has selected his flavor.

A still'further object of the subject invention is to provide signs which will light up at appropriate times in the dispensing cycle so as to indicate to a customer in proper sequence the acts he must perform in order to obtain a drink.

A desirable feature in any drink dispensing machine having more than one flavor of drink is to allow the purchaser time to determine what flavor or flavors he would like after he has inserted his coin. Previous machines have operated so as to dispense the drink immediately after the coin has been inserted into the machine. Selection of flavors therefore had to be made immediately after the coin was inserted by pushing the appropriate keys for the flavor or flavors desired. The subject invention permits the purchaser to deliberate for as long a period as he may like after he has inserted the coin. The circuits to dispense the carbonated liquid are at a standstill after the insertion of the coin until such time as the purchaser presses the keys which will give him the flavors that he may desire. The circuits also allow the purchaser to press a plurality of keys so that he may obtain a drink of mixed flavors, such for example, as lime coke.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown .by way of example in the accompanying drawings the invention comprises an electrical system for improving the operational sequence of a drink dispensing unit. The unit I0 is of the type which dispenses drinks having a plurality A, B and C of different flavors. At the beginning, it should be realized that although only three flavors are shown, more than three flavors can be dispensed by the addition of circuits similar to those hereinafter described. In the normal standstill position Deposit coin indication ll shown in Fig. 1 is lit; this indication has an arrow which points to the place where the coin is to be inserted. The Sold out indication I2 and the Select flavor" indication I3 are normally unlit. The latter indication has an arrow pointing to the keys H, [5 and [6 which have to be pressed in order to obtain the flavors A, B and C, respectively. An automatic counter I1 is operated, upon the insertion of a coin, so as to indicate the number of drinks which have been dispensed by the machine. A table H! has a plurality of bottomless cylinders located above its upper surface, paper cups being stacked in each of the cylinders. When the coin is introduced into the machine a paper cup from one of the cylinders drops through a hole in the table and lands on a platform [8 located below a plurality of pipes which dispense the various flavors and the carbonated water. A germicidal lamp 20 is placed near the cups and serves to keep the cups and dispensing station clean from a bacteriological standpoint.

A carbon dioxide tank 2| is located inside the dispensing unit and is connected by appropriate pipes to the containers 22, 23 and 24 which hold the flavors A, B and C, respectively. Valves 25, 26 and 21 keep the pipes connected to these containers in a normally closed position, thus preventing any of the flavored liquids from passing into the drinking cup 33 until a flavor has been selected. The pipes 28 from the carbon dioxide tank 2| exert a pressure on the liquids in the containers 22, 23 and 24 sufficient to force the liquids out of the containers and through their respective pipes when the appropriate valve 25, 26 or 21 is opened. These valves are opened by electrical circuits, to be described in connection with Fig. 2. when any of the keys |4, or l6 are pressed.

The pipes leading from the containers 22, 23 and 24 to the valves 25, 26 and 21 are embedded along parts of their lengths in a block 29 which is a part of the refrigerated carbonator assembly so that the liquid will be cooled before it flows into a drinking cup. A carbonator 38 is located inside the block 29, as described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 785,097, and serves to mix carbon dioxide from the tank 2| with drinking water introduced from the pipe 38, so that a cooled carbonated water will result. The carbonated water flows from the carbonator 30 through the pipe 3| when the valve 32 is opened by the pressing of one of the keys l4, l5 or l6 and then flows through the outlet 34 into the cup 33 located on the platform I9.

The liquids from the containers 22, 23 and 24 flow through the outlets 35, 36 and 31, respectively, into the drinking cup 33. The angle of flow from these outlets and from the outlet 34 are so adjusted with respect to each other that the liquid from each outlet will meet the liquids from the outer outlets before reaching the cup 33 and thus will mix with the other liquids while the liquids are still in the air. An apparatus for producing this result is described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 794,984, now Patent No. 2,551,699.

A drip can 39 is located beneath the cup 33 and the platform l9 to receive any liquid which may elude the cup and drop on the platform l9. This drip can has electrical circuits associated with it which will automatically operate when the liquid in the can reaches a predetermined level, thus halting the operation of the dispensing unit until the can has been emptied.

The drinking water is led from the pipe 38 into the carbonator 38 through the action of the pump 40, the pipe 38 normally being closed by the valve 38. The carbonator 30 has an electrical circuit, hereinafter to be described in connection with Fig. 2, which operates to maintain the water between the minimum and a maximum level. In this way only a certain amount of water will lie in the carbonator 30 at any time and this water will be cold as a result of the functioning of the refrigerating unit 4|. This refrigerating unit operates when the thermostat 42 indicates that the temperature of the carbonator assembly is above a predetermined temperature.

Referring now in detail to the electrical circuits shown in Fig. 2 a step-by-step analysis of 4 the operation of the electrical components of the dispensing unit will be undertaken.

The coin 43 is inserted into the opening 43a and drops down the runway 44 to press the movable contact 45 of the switch 46, thus closing the switch. An electrical circuit is thus established from the hot wire 41 of the power supply means (not shown) through the normally closed switch 48, switch 46, the normally closed switch 49 and the normally closed switch 50, to the motor 5|. From the motor 5| the circuit continue through the normally closed switch 53 and the line 54 to the normally closed switch 55 and, finally, to the second lead 56 which is connected to the power supply means. The motor 5| operates and revolves the shaft 51, thus rotating the cup-holding gear 58 which is coupled to the gear assembly 59. The gear 58 is of the worm type and holds the cups which are about to be dispensed in the depressions between its adjacent threads. Worm gear 58 rotates clockwise, as shown by the arrow on the shaft thereof and causes the cup 33 to drop on the platform after a rotation of approximately 45. The cup 60 is located on top of the gear and does not catch in the top depression of the gear until the gear has rotated approximately 270.

The closing of the switch 46 also operates the counter H by means of the circuit through the line 41, the switch 48, switch 46, switch 49, and the solenoid 62 to the line 54, which has been previously shown to be connected to the line 56 through the switch 55. Actuation of the solenoid 62 causes the armature 63 to be attracted towards the solenoid, thus pushing down the lever 64. The lever is connected at one end to the rotatable arm 6| of the counter IT at its rotating end of the link 65, which is in turn fastened to the armature 63. Rotation of the arm 6| causes the indication on the counter to be increased by one number. The lever will remain in the down" position until the end of the cup dispensing cycle. The function of dispensing a drink is performed by the operation of an auxiliary circuit hereinafter to be described.

By closing switch 46, a continuous circuit to the solenoid 66 is also made. This circuit comprises the lead 41, the switch 46, the switch 49, the solenoid 66, the switch 53 and the out line 54. Actuation of this solenoid causes the movable contacts of the ganged switches 61 and 68 to be attracted towards the solenoid 66, thus opening the switch 61 and closing the switch 68. An auxiliary circuit is therefore established from the power input lead 41 through the switch 48, the switch 68, the relay 62 to the lead 54. As previously described, this auxiliary circuit causes the solenoid 62 to be continuously energized for the remainder of the cupdispensing operation and prevents the counter 6| from being operated upon more than once during any dispensing cycle.

The opening of the switch 61 by the actuation of the solenoid 66 causes the "Deposit coin indication II to be extinguished. This indication is normally lit by a current through the circuit comprising the lead 41, the switch 48, the normally closed switch 69, the normally closed switch 10, the switch 61, the Deposit coin indication H, the switch 55 and the second power input lead 56. Opening of the switch 61 causes this circuit to be opened and the Deposit coin indication to be extinguished.

When the cup 33 has dropped to the platform I 9 shown in Fig. 1 by the 45 rotation of the worm gear 58 a delay in the operation of the flavordispensing and carbonated water-dispensing circuits occurs until the purchaser presses one of the selection keys I4, I or I6. Switches are connected to these keys and these switches have electrical connections attached thereto to keep the circuits open until a key is pressed. Ganged switches II and 12 are associated with the key I4 and are operated when the key is pressed. Ganged switches 13 and 14 and ganged switches 15 and 18 are operated by the pressing of the keys I5 and I6, respectively. The switches 1I through 15, inclusive, are of the double-throw variety, so that an electrical contact is made on each of the two positions of the switches except switch 15 which is dead in oneposition.

Since the operation of the circuits associated with one key is similar to the operation of the circuits associated with the other keys, only the operation when the key I5 is pressed will be discussed. But, before the operation of the circuits associated with the key I5 can be described, the operation of the cam 8| must be discussed. The cam 8| has a tab 82 extending from its periphery, with its normal unoperated position being such that the tab lies in a horizontal position. Upon the actuation of the motor 5I, the cam 8|, being connected to the shaft 51, rotates with the shaft in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow thereon. When it has rotated approximately 45, the tab 82 strikes the movable contact 83 of the switch 84 and presses this contact against the stationary contact of the switch 84 so as to establish momentary electrical continuity through the switch. A circuit is therefore established from the lead 41 through the switch 48; the switch 68, which is now closed by the actuation of the solenoid 86; the switch 58; the switch 84 and the "Select flavor indication I3 to the lead 54, which is connected to the lead 55. The indication I3 is consequently lit and points to the keys I4, I5 and I6. a

In addition to the lighting of the "Select flavor indication, the solenoid I58 is also actuated when the switch 84 is closed. This results from a flow 'of current through a circuit comprising the lead 41, the switch 48, the switch 68 in its operated condition, the switch 58, the switch 84, the solehoid I58, the switch 55 and the lead 56. The movable contacts of the ganged double-throw switches 48 and 18 are consequently attracted towards the solenoid I58 and establish electrical continuity with the left contacts of the switches. It may be seen that the lead 85 will now have continuity with the lead 41 during the remainder of the liquid-dispensing cycle as the result of a continuous electrical path from the lead 41 through the switch 48, the switch 69, the switch 18 in its operated position and the lead IGI and thence to the lead 85. The solenoid I58 will also be constantly energized during the rest of the cycle, because of its connection tothe left contact of the switch I8. Furthermore, since the Select flavor indication I3 is connected across the leads 54 and 85, it will be lit during the liquid-flow period. The actuation of solenoid I58 by momentary closing of switch 84 and the resulting establishment of the solenoid holding circuit through the left contact of switch 18 serves, as above described, to render line 85 a hot line to put the liquid flow circuits in a state of readiness so that when one or more of the flavor selecting keys I4, I5 or I8 is pressed a drink will be dispensed into the waiting cup 33. Although any of the keys I4, l5, I8 may be operated at this point in the complete cycle of the unit, nr subsequently, the cup dispensing motor 5I still continues its operation by reason of solenoid 68 still being energized and its associated switch 68 closed. This continuing rotation of motor 5| and worm 58 serves to bring a second cup 33 into a position of readiness for the next machine cycle. The motor is stopped at the proper point by associated cam 8I acting to open switch 53.

When the cam 8| has rotated a few degrees short of its complete cycle the cam tab 82 strikes the end of a lever I88 forming a part of switch 53. Lever I88 is pivoted at H8 and has a weight -I I I secured thereon. An insulated depending finger .I I2, mounted on the underside of lever I89, presses one hinged contact member H3 against another movable contact arm 53 of the switch 53. A spring l I4 maintains contact arm 53' in its normally up position against a limit pin H4 and also supports the weighted lever I89 in its normal position of closed. Continued rotation of cam tab 82 causes it to depress lever I88, contact member H3 and contact arm 53', thereby compressing spring II4.

Cam tab 82 finally moves off the end of lever I89 thereby releasing the compression of spring H4 and thus allowing the spring to flip the contact arm 53' and associated parts upwardly. Contact arm 53' is arrested at its normal upper position by pin 4' but the momentum imparted to contact member I I3 and weighted lever I89 causes these latter to travel an appreciable distance further and momentarily open the switch 53. This breaks the circuit to the cup dispensing motor 5| which, with its worm 58 and cam 8I, immediately stops. The lever I88 and contact member II3 then fall to their normal position of rest against contact arm 53 and close switch 53.

The momentary opening of switch 53, as just described, de-energizes solenoid 86 since, as previously stated, its circuit runs from lead 41 through switch 48, switch 68, the solenoid itself and switch 53 to the lead 54. The switches 51 and 68 therefore return to their original positions before switch 53 again closes and hence no current is available, when switch 53 does close, to operate motor 5|. Solenoid 62 of the counter I1 is also de-energized and thus made ready for the next machine cycle.

At this point in the cycle of the unit, the drink dispensing circuits have been made ready for the drink cycle and the cup dispensing mechanism and circuits have completed their functions and reset themselves for the next machine cycle. The Deposit coin" light II, however, does not. yet light up because the solenoid I58 is energized and the right hand contact of switch I8 is open.

As before stated, the drink dispensing circuits have been placed in a condition of readiness for dispening a drink as soon as one or more of the flavor selecting keys I4, I5 or I6 is manually actuated.

The switches H and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16 are ganged to the keys I4, I5, and I6 respectively, and are of the double-throw variety. The switch H has the immovable contacts 88 and 8| while the switches 12, 13 and 14 have the contacts 88 and 82, 11 and 18, and 1B and 88, respectively.

Assume now that the key I5 is pressed. A continuous circuit is therefore .established from the lead 85 through the switch H, the switch 13 and the contact 18 to the solenoid 88, then through the switch 18 to the other side 54 of the power supply circuit. The solenoid 86 will therefore be actuated and will hold the movable contacts 7 of the switches 13 and 14 in position to establish aoeaoee electrical continuity with the contacts I9 and 80. respectively, until such time as either the keys I4 or I6 is pressed or until the cup 33 is filled with the carbonated beverage and the dispensing cycle is completed.

The solenoid 81 which controls the operation of the valve 26 is also actuated. This solenoid is located in the circuit comprising the lead 05, switch 1 I, the movable contact of switch I3, contact I9, the solenoid itself and lead 54. Actuation of the solenoid causes the valve 26 to be opened and liquid to fiow through the pipes and the outlet 36, as discussed previously in connection with Fig. 1. The carbonated water flows at the same time through the pipes 3| controlled by the valve 32. This valve is opened upon the actuation of the solenoid 88, which lies in the circuit formed by the lead 85, the solenoid 88, the contact 80, the movable contact of switch I4, the switch 16 and the lead 54. A mixture of the carbonated water and the liquid which flavors the drink will therefore flow simultaneously into the cup 33.

Assume now that the purchaserdesires a drink having a mixture of two flavors A and B; he would therefore press the key I4 while the liquid was flowing into the cup 33, at a time in the cycle corresponding to the proportion of the liquids A and B that he might desire. In other words, if the flow time took four seconds and he desired a mixture with 75% of B and 25% of A the purchaser would press the A key I4 at the end of approximately three seconds. The movable contact of switches I2 and 'II would therefore leave the contacts 83 and 90, respectively, and would touch the contacts 9| and 82, respectively. Since the circuit to the solenoid 86 is dependent upon electrical continuity between the movable contact of switch II and the contact 89, the solenoid 86 would'no longer be actuated; the switches I3 and I4 would return to their normal positions, causing the key I5 to move back into its unpressed position. The solenoid 81, which is also dependent for actuation upon electrical continuity between the movable contact of switch I3 and the contact I6, would no longer be energized and the valve 26 would consequently close. A continuous circuit, however, would be established from the lead 85 through the movable contact of the switch II, the contact 9|, the solenoid I00, the contact I8, the movable contact of the switch I4, and the switch 16 to the lead 54. Actuation of the solenoid I would cause the movable contacts of the switches 'II and I2 to make electrical continuity with the contacts 9I and 92, respectively, until either the key I or I6 was pressed or until the liquid-flow cycle was completed. A continuous circuit would also be established from the lead 85 through the movable contact of the switch 92, the contact 8|, the solenoid IOI and the lead 54. This would open the valve 25 controlling the flow of liquid A and a mixture of liquid A and carbonated water would flow into the cup. It may thus be seen that a combination of any or all of the different liquid flavors can be had at the option of the purchaser and that the combination of the flavors can be controlled to any proportion desired.

The time during which liquid flows into the cup 33 is controlled by the motor I02. As may be seen the motor winding is connected through switches controlled by the keys I4, I5 and I6 and an electrical circuit through the winding will not be completed until one of the keys is depressed. In this way the predetermined time 8 interval during which liquid will flow start until the pushing of a key. Ass then, that the key I5 is initially pushed, tinuous circuit will be established from through the motor winding, the cont the movable contact of the switch 74, the 5 I6 and then to the lead 54. The motor wir a will therefore be energized and the motor will start to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown. A shaft I03 extends from the mot-or and has cams I04 and I05 projecting therefrom at one end. As soon as the shaft I03 starts to rotate, the cam I04 permits the movable con. tact I08 to move so as to establish electrical continuity with the stationary contact of the switch I01. A continuous circuit is therefore established from the lead 85 through the motor winding and the switch I01 to the lead 54, thus energizing the motor winding independently of the positions of any of the keys I4, I5 and As the motor continues to rotate, the cam :05 will strike the movable contact I08 of the switch 89, depressing the contact I08 from its upper to its lower position. The circuit comprising the lead 47, the switch 48, the switch 69 having its movable contact I08 in the upper position, the switch I0 having its armature in the left position, the solenoid I50 and the lead 56 will no longer be continuous and current will stop fiowing in the solenoid I50. The switches 49 and 70 will therefore return to their normal positions.

De-energization of the solenoid I50 releases the switch 49 to its original position and opens the continuous path to the lead 85. Since the lead 85 is now disconnected from the power supply means, thecircuits to the timer motor I02 and the keys I4, I5 and I6 will become open. The spring I60, which is wrapped around the shaft I03 and which was put under strain by the rotation of the motor I02, will now return the motor to its original position and switch 69 again closes. Furthermore, the switches controlling the position of the keys I4, I5 and It will return to their initial position. De-energization of the solenoid I50 and reclosing of switch 69- operates the Deposit coin indication II, thus giving visual assurance to the prospective purchaser that another coin may be inserted to obtain a second drink.

A refrigerating circuit is directly connected to the power input leads 4! and 56 and comprises a motor H5 and a thermostat 42 in series with each other. The thermostat is placed in close proximity to the carbonator 30 and has a normally open switch as one of its main components. When the carbonator assembly temperature rises above a certain value, the thermostatic switch becomes closed, electrical continuity in the circuit consequently being established. The motor II5 operates to send a cooling agent through the pipes I5I shown in Fig. 1 until the temperature again falls below the value required to cut off the thermostatic switch.

The carbonator 30 has associated with it electrical circuits which will maintain the water level above a predetermined minimum value but below a predetermined maximum value. The minimum level indication results from the functioning of the electrical conductor II8 which is suspended at a certain level in the container 30; the conductor III is suspended in the container 30 at a predetermined level above the conductor H8 and serves as the maximum level indicator. A transformer H9 comprising a primary winding I20 has an iron core I22, the intermediate leg of which passes through the enclosure created by the turns of the secondary winding I2I. All of the legs of the core I22 are permanently continuous with each other except for the bottom leg I23 which is separable from the rest of the core, as shown in Fig. 2. The leg I23 has a movable contact I53 fastened to it. This contact is able to establish electrical continuity with the stationary contacts I54 and I55 when it is in its left, or operated position, and with the contacts I56 and I51 when in the right, or unoperated position. The contacts I54 and I55 are connected electrically to the conductors H8 and H1, repectively, while the contact I55 is also connected to the right side of the secondary winding I2I. The contact I56 is connected to the left side of the primary winding I which is in turn connected to the input lead 41 through the switch 48. The contact I51 is connected to one side of the solenoid I59, the other side of which isconnected to the right side of the primary winding I20; a lead also runs from the right side of the winding I20 to the switch 55 which is connected to the second power input lead 56. The left side of the secondary winding I2I is connected to the walls of the container at the point I58, the container 30 being made from a conducting material. The motor I62 is parallel with the solenoid I59.

Assume that the water in the container 30 touches the bottom of the conductor H1 and that the movable contact I53 is establishing electrical continuity with the contacts I56 and I51. The leg I23, which is rotatable about the stationary rod I63 will therefore be positioned away from the core I22 at the side opposite the rod I63. Since the water level is above the bottom of the conductor I I1, a continuous circuit will be established from the left side of the winding I2I to the point I58 on the container 30, through the water and the conductor H1 and finally to the right side of the winding I2I. A current approaching short circuit magnitude will therefore flow through the winding I2I and will produce a heavy magnetic flux in the middle leg of the core I22. After traveling through the middle leg, the flux will split at the vertical member of the core so that part of the flux flows upward and part flows downward. That part which travels downward will travel through the leg I23 and will be ofsufficient intensity to force the leg I23 towards the core I22. The leg I23 will consequently move to a position flush with the bottom of the core I22, as shown in Fig. 2, such that a continuous magnetic path, with no air gaps involved, will result. The movable contact I53 will simultaneously move to the left and establish electrical continuity with the stationary contacts I54 and I55. This will open the circuits to the solenoid I59 and the motor I62, which are dependent for completion upon electrical continuity between the movable contact I53 and the.

stationary contacts I56 adn I51. De-energization of the solenoid I59 will cause the valve 38' to close and will prevent any water from flowing into the container 30. Even after the dispensation of several drinks, with the result that the water level lies below the bottom of the conductor II1, the valve 38' will remain closed. The reason for this is that the short circuit current will still continue to flow through a circuit comprising the winding IZI, the container 30, the water in the container, the conductor II8, the contacts I54, the movable contact I53, and the toeither the conductor H8 or the conductor H1.

The left side of the leg I23, therefore, will fall away from the core I22, moving the contact I53 into position with the contacts I56 and I51. A circuit will now be established from the lead 41 through the switch 48, the contact I56, the movable contact I53, the contact I51, the solenoid I59, the switch 55 and thence to the out lead 56. Actuation of the solenoid I59 will cause the valve 38' to open. At the same time, the motor I62 will operate the pump 40 so that water will flow through the pipe 38 into the container. The water will continue ot flow even after it has reached the bottom of the conductor II8, since the short circuit current through the conductor H8 is dependent upon the movable contact I53 being in electrical continuity with the contacts I54 and I55. When, however, the water level has reached the bottom of the conductor II1 a continuous circuit will occur which, as previously described, will comprise the windin I2I, the container 30, the water in the container and the conductor H1. The resulting short circuit current will move the conductor I53 into electrical continuity with the contacts I54 and I55, thus closing the pipe 38 to a further flow of Water. As may be seen, the water will not flow into the container 30 again until it has fallen once more below the bottom of the conductor II8. By adjusting the levels of the conductors H1 and H8 with respect to each other and with respect to the bottom of the container 30, an amount of water can be stored for cooling purposes which will be sufficient to give a few drinks. In this way, each drink will be guaranteed to be cold, especially if the difference in the levels of the conductors H1 and H8 would involve only two or three drinks.

As has been previously stated, a number of bottomless cylinders housing the cups are spaced around the periphery of a rotatable disc I8 with the bottom cup of the cup stack in each cylinder resting on a table I8. A hole I21 is provided in the table I8 so that the cups may drop through the hole and be engaged by the threads of the worm gear 58. A pointer I28 is located below the hole I21 and is positioned to touch the lips of the cups lying below the hole. The pointer lies a distance below the table I8 corresponding to the depth of a cup. After the last cup has dropped from the cylinder positioned above the hole and the dispensing unit has operated to vend a few more drinks, there will no longer be any cups located above the pointer I28. This pointer is normally pressed down by the weight of cups lying above it such that it fails to touch the contact I29. When no cups lie above the pointer, however, the spring I30 pulls the pointer, which is made from a conducting material, up so as to establish electrical continuity with the contact I29. A continuous circuit is therefore established from the lead 41 through the switch 48, the switch 68 (which is considered to be in operated position, as previously described), the switch 50, the motor 52, the pointer I28 and contact I29, the switch 55 and the lead 55. The motor 52 therefore operates the gear assembly I3I which rotates the shaft I26. The disc I8 is attached to the shaft and rotates until the 11 cylinder adjacent the just-emptied cylinder becomes lined up with the hole I2'I. Cups then drop through the hole and depress the pointer I28 so that it terminates its electrical continuity with the contact I29. The cylinder then remains in position until it becomes empty.

A second pointer I35 similar in appearance to the pointer I28 is located below the pointer I28 to indicate when all of the cylinders have become emptied of cups. This pointer serves as the movable contact of the switch 50 which is the double-throw type. When cups are located above the pointer I35 the pointer is pressed down and electrical continuity is established with the lower contact of the switch 50. As soon as all of the cylinders have become exhausted of cups and no cups lie above the pointer I35, the spring I36, which is normally in a depressed condition, pushes the pointer I35 upward so that it will touch the upper contact of the switch 50. A continuous electrical circuit is therefore established from the lead 41 through the switch 48, the switch 68 is in operated position as previously described, the switch 50 having the pointer I35 in its upper position, the solenoid I50, the switch 55 and the lead 56. This circuit causes the solenoid I50 to be operated even though the pointer I35 has moved from its lower position to its upper position in switch 50; accordingly, a final drink is dispensed before the Sold out sign in the machine is lit, as will be described hereinafter. Breaking of electrical continuity between the pointer I35 and the lower contact of the switch 50 prevents a continuous electrical circuit from being established to the winding of the motor 5I, in turn preventing the motor from operating to drop any more cups. As previously described operation of the solenoid I50 and the pressing of one of the keys I4, I5 or I6 causes a continuous circuit to be established to the timer motor I02. Rotation of the motor results in the cam I05 striking the movable contact I08 and establishing electrical continuity between the contact and the lower contact of the switch 69. A continuous electrical circuit therefore occurs from the switch 48, switch 68 in its operating position, pointer I35 and upper contact of switch 50, the switch I0 in its operating position, the switch 69 in its lower position, the solenoid I3! and thence to the lead 56. The solenoid I31 fulfills the function of indicating when the dispensing apparatus is inoperative either because of a. lack of cups or because the drip can 39 is filled or perhaps because the coin 43 is stuck in the runway 44. Actuation of the relay I31 imposes a downward force upon the armature I 38 which is pinioned at the point I39. The movable contact I40 of the switch 55 is connected to the rotatable end of the armature I38 and moves to the right when the armature I38 is depressed. Since the switch 55 is of the double-throw variety, the contact I40 will now touch the right contact of the switch 55. A continuous circuit will therefore result from lead 41 through the Sold out indication I2 and the switch 55 in its operated condition and thence to the lead 56. The indication I2 will therefore light up and will warn any subsequent prospective purchasers that drinks are no longer being dispensed by the machine. The movement of the contact I40 from its position against the left contact of the switch 55 opens the return path to any of the circuits which would normally result when the coin 43 is dropped through the runway 44. The

movable contact of the switch 48 is ganged to the movable contact of the switch 55 so that the switch 48 will also open the second bus to the power supply means. Since no circuits function upon the insertion of a coin, the coin can be returned by mechanisms not shown.

The solenoid I31 is also actuated when other negative conditions occur; for example, a switch MI is closed when the liquid in the drip can 39 reaches a certain level. The position of this switch is determined by a float I42 which rests upon the liquid when it reaches a certain level in the can and rises as the liquid mounts above that level. This causes the movable contact of the switch I to move upwards and finally to establish electrical continuity with the stationary contact of the switch. A series circuit therefore occurs from the lead 41 through the switch MI and the solenoid I31 to the lead 58. Actuation of the solenoid I31 causes the indication I2 to light up as previously explained.

It may sometimes happen that the coin 43 will become stuck by the movable contact 45. This will not prevent a drink from being dispensed in exchange for the stuck coin but will prevent the machine from operating subsequently. As previously described, the stuck coin will cause circuits to be established which will operate the motor I02 and will cause the movable contact I08 to be depressed into position with the lower contact of the switch 69. An electrical circuit takes place from the lead 01 through the switches 48 and 46, the switch 49 in operated position, the switch 10 in its operated position, the switch 69 in its operated position, the solenoid I31 and from there to the lead 56. Actuation of the solenoid I31 will cause the indication I2 to light up as heretofore explained.

In case the indication I2 should light up for any of the above described reasons, it can not be shut 011 except by a manual manipulation of the key I43. Since only the serviceman will have access into the machine to get at this key the machine will remain idle until it can be repaired by the serviceman. Pressing of the key I43 causes the solenoid I44 to be energized and the movable contacts of the ganged switches 48 and 55 to be returned to their original positions. When this happens the machine is once again ready to dispense liquid refreshments.

As has been previously stated the germicidal lamp 20 is connected across the leads 41 and 56 so that it will operate to neutralize any harmful bacteria in the cups.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom, within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus having cup and beverage dispensing mechanisms, means for automatically actuating said cup vending mechanism to dispense a cup upon deposit of a check, means independent of said first means for thereafter actuating said beverage dispensing mechanism to dispense a beverage and means for visually indicating the sequence of operation of said other two means.

2. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus having cup and beverage dispensing mechanism, means for automatically actuating said cup vending mechanism to dispense a cup upon deposit oi. a check, means independent of said first means for thereafter actuating said beverage dispensing mechanism to dispense a beverage and visual indicating means for said first and second means for indicating to a customer a sequence of necessary steps to obtain a beverage involving firstly depositing a check and secondly actuating said independent means.

3. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus having cup and beverage dispensing mechanism, means for automatically actuating said cup vending mechanism to dispense a cup upon deposit of a check, means independent of said first means for thereafter actuating said beverage dispensing mechanism to dispense a beverage, indicating means normally actuated and other indicating means normally unactuated, said first indicating means being silenced and said other actuating means being actuated upon deposit of a check.

4. In a check: operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus having cup and beverage dispensing mechanism, means for automatically actuating said cup vending mechanism to dispense a cup upon deposit of a check, means independent of said first means for thereafter actuating said beverage dispensing mechanism to dispense a beverage, indicating means normally actuated and other indicating means normally unactuated, said first indicating means being silenced and said other actuating means being actuated upon deposit of a check, said first indicating means being again actuated and said other indicating means being again silenced after a beverage is dispensed.

5. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus having cup dispensing and plural flavor beverage dispensing mechanism, means for automatically actuating said cup vending mechanism to dispense a cup upon deposit of a check, means independent of said first means for thereafter actuating said beverage dispensing mechanism to dispense a beverage, normally actuated means for indicating the place to deposit said check, said means being silenced during the dispensing period and being actuated again at the end of such period, and means for indicating the selecting places of the various flavors, said means being normally silenced but'being actuated during the dispensing cycle.

6. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus, first means automatically operated upon the deposit of a check and other means independent of said first means and operated by manual actuation by a customer only after the operation of said first means, said first means including means for dispensing a cup and indicating means pointing to the position where manual operation is to be made by the customer and said other means including means for timing the period of beverage dispensation from the moment of actuation by the customer, means for dispensing the beverage during said dispensation period, and means for disconnecting said first means an instant after said dispensation period.

'7. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus, first means automatically operated upon the deposit of a check, normally operated indicating means for showing the position for deposit of a check, said indicating means becoming silenced by the insertion of a check, and other means independent of said first means and operated by manual actuation by the customer 14 only after the actuation of said first means, said first means including means for dispensing a cup and means for indicating the place for manually actuating said other means, said other means including means for dispensing said beverage upon manual actuation by the customer, means for timing said dispensation for a predetermined period of time after 'said manual actuation, and means for disconnecting said first means and for re-actuating said deposit indicating means an instant after the end of said dispensation period.

8. In a check operated automatic beverage dispensing apparatus, first means automatically operated upon the deposit of a check and other means independent of said first means and operated by manual actuation by a customer only after the operation of said first means, said first means including means for dispensing a cup and indicating means pointing to the position where manual operation is to be made by the customer, and said other means including means for dispensing a plurality of flavors, means for allowing only one flavor to be dispensed at any instant of time, means for timing the dispensation for a predetermined period of time after an initial flavor is selected, and means for disconnecting said first means an instant after the end of said dispensation period.

9. In a coin operated dispensing machine adapted to be actuated in a plurality of steps by a customer to dispense a selected one of a plurality of different beverages including the steps of depositing a coin and thereafter selecting the beverage desired, in combination, coin receiving means having an opening externally of said machine, beverage selecting means externally of said machine, indicating means externally of said machine associated with said coin receiving opening. other indicating means externally of said machine associated with said beverage selecting means, said first indicating means being normally actuated and said second indicating means being normally unactuated, means actuated by a coin deposited in said receiving opening to place said first indicating means in unactuated condition and said other indicating means in actuated condition, and means actuated by said beverage selecting means for returning said first indicating means to actuated condition and said other indicating means to unactuated condition.

10. In a coin operated dispensing machine adapted to be actuated in a plurality of steps by a customer to dispense a selected one of a plurality of different beverages including the steps of depositing a coin and thereafter selecting the beverage desired, in combination, coin receiving means having an opening externally of said machine, beverage selecting means externally of said machine, electric indicating meansexternally of said machine associated with said coin receiving opening, other electric indicating means externally of said machine associated with said beverage selecting means, said first indicating means being normally energized and said other indicating means being normally deenergized, a switch in said coin receiving means to be engaged by a coin deposited therein, and circuit means interconnecting said switch, both indicating means and said beverage selecting means, whereby deposit of a coin in said coin receiving means deenergizes said first indicating means and energizes said other indicating means, and actuation of said selecting means deenergizes said other indicating means and energizes said first indicating means.

11. In a coin operated dispensing machine adapted to be actuated in a plurality of steps by a customer to dispense a selected one 01' a plurality of difierent beverages including the steps of depositing a coin and thereafer selecting the beverage desired, in combination. coin receiving means having an opening externally of said machine, beverage selecting means externally oi. said machine, indicating means externally of said machine associated with said coin receiving opening, other indicating means externally of said machine associated with said beverage selecting means, said first indicating means being normally actuated and said second indicating means being normally unactuated, timing means for dispensing a beverage in a' fixed time period upon actuation of said selecting means, means actuated by a coin deposited in said receiving opening to place said first indicating means in unactuated condition and said other indicating means in actuated condition, and means interconnected with said timing means actuated by said beverage selecting means for returning said first indicating means to actuated condition and said other indicating means to unactuated condition after operation of said timing means.

12. In a coin operated dispensing machine adapted to be actuated in a plurality of steps by a customer to dispense a selected one of a plurality of different beverages including the steps of depositing a coin and thereafter selecting the beverage desired, in combination, coin receiving means having an opening externally of said machine, beverage selecting means externally of said machine, dispensing means including timing means for dispensing a selected beverage in a fixed time period, said dispensing means being adapted for operative connection to said selecting means to dispense a beverage upon actuation of said selecting means, said dispensing and timing means being normally operatively disconnected, indicating means externally of said machine associated with said coin receiving opening, other indicating means externally of said machine associated with said beverage selecting means, said first indicating means being normally actuated and said second indicating means being normally unactuated, means actuated by a coin deposited in said receiving opening to place said first indicating means in unactuated condition, said other indicating means in actuated condition, and operatively interconnecting said selective means and dispensing means, and means actuated by said beverage selecting means for returning said first indicating means to actuated condition, said other indicating means to unactuated condition, and operatively disconnecting said selecting means and dispensing means, after operation of said timing means.

13. In a coin operated dispensing machine adapted to be actuated in a plurality of steps by a customer to dispense a selected one of a plurality of different beverages including the steps of depositing a coin and thereafter selecting the beverage desired, in combination, cup dispensing means, coin receiving means having an opening externally of said machine, beverage selecting means externally of said machine, indicating means externally of said machine associated with said coin receiving opening, other indicating means externally of said machine associated with said beverage selecting means, said first indicating means being normally actuated and said second indicating means being normally unactuated, means actuated by a coin deposited in said receiving opening to actuate said cup dispensing means to dispense a cup and to place said first indicating means in unactuated condition and said other indicating means in actuated condition, and means actuated by said beverage selecting means for returning said first indicating means to actuated condition and said other indicating means to unactuated condition.

REGIS E. PARKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

